Models · Porsche
Porsche 911 Carrera 997.1 buying guide
The first 997 generation, built from 2004 to 2008, with the 3.6 in the Carrera, Carrera 4 and Targa 4 and the 3.8 in the S models. The known faults are well documented, and most of them have a check you can do at the viewing.
The versions
- Carrera and Carrera 4: 3.6 flat six (M96/05), 325PS
- Carrera S and Carrera 4S: 3.8 flat six (M97/01), 355PS, or 381PS with the factory X51 power kit
- Targa 4 and Targa 4S: four-wheel drive with a sliding glass roof
- Coupé, cabriolet and Targa bodies
- 6-speed manual, or 5-speed Tiptronic S torque converter automatic (the PDK dual-clutch arrived with the 997.2)
What to check on a 997.1 Carrera
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Tailpipe soot, side to side
What to look for: Before the engine is started, wipe the inside of each tailpipe with a white cloth. Both should be a similar light grey and dry. One noticeably blacker, oily or wet than the other is the thing to note.
Why it matters: Each side of the exhaust serves one bank of three cylinders, so a difference points at one bank burning more oil. It's one of the signs of cylinder bore scoring, which affects a minority of these engines, the 3.8 more often than the 3.6. A borescope inspection settles it.
A tick or knock from cold
What to look for: Start the engine from fully cold and listen at the back of the car. A light tick that fades within about 30 seconds is normal on these engines. A tick or knock that carries on beyond that is worth noting.
Why it matters: A persistent cold-start tick is another of the signs specialists associate with bore scoring. On its own it isn't a diagnosis, but together with uneven tailpipe soot it makes a borescope inspection essential before buying.
The intermediate shaft bearing
What to look for: Ask the seller for the engine number before you travel, and look for paperwork showing whether the bearing has been upgraded.
Why it matters: The larger, stronger bearing arrived partway through production on both engines, so the engine number tells you which one the car has, not the model year. The larger bearing can't be replaced without splitting the engine, so on those cars it's a question of the engine's health rather than a planned upgrade.
Also in the full guide
- Front radiators and condensers
- Oil where the engine meets the gearbox
- The rear axle cross braces
- Oil use and the service history
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the 997.1 Carrera
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Porsche.